What Can You Do With a Master’s in Public Health? Careers & Salaries Explained

If you’re considering a Master of Public Health (MPH), you’re likely weighing two practical questions:

1. What careers does this degree lead to?
2. What kind of salary can you realistically expect?

An MPH can prepare you for roles in various sectors, including healthcare, government, nonprofits, research and consulting. But outcomes and compensation vary widely depending on the path you choose, the skills you build and where you work. This guide breaks down common MPH careers, national salary data and how to decide if this degree aligns with your goals.

What Is a Master of Public Health?

A Master of Public Health is a graduate-level degree focused on improving health at the population level. Rather than treating individual patients, public health professionals work to prevent disease, reduce health disparities and improve systems that shape community health.

MPH programs typically combine coursework in epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, environmental health and social and behavioral factors with applied learning through practicums or capstone projects.
Is an MPH a doctor?
No, an MPH is not a medical degree and does not lead to licensure as a physician.

However, some doctors, nurses and other licensed clinicians earn an MPH to expand their work into areas such as public health leadership, epidemiology, policy or population health management. Many MPH students come from non-clinical backgrounds and pursue careers outside of direct patient care.

Public Health Careers & Salaries

One of the biggest strengths of an MPH is flexibility. Graduates don’t all end up in the same type of role or even the same sector. Some work in data-heavy research positions, others focus on community programs or policy and some move into leadership or operations roles within health systems.

Below are some of the most common MPH degree jobs, along with what each role involves, the skills required and typical salary expectations at the national level.

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists study patterns of disease and health outcomes across populations. They collect and analyze data to identify risk factors, investigate outbreaks and evaluate the effectiveness of public health interventions. Their work often informs prevention strategies, policy decisions and emergency response efforts.

Medical and Health Services Manager (Healthcare Administrator)

Biostatistician or Public Health Data Analyst

Biostatisticians and public health data analysts apply statistical methods to health data. They analyze large datasets from clinical trials, population studies and health systems to identify trends, evaluate interventions and support evidence-based decision-making.

Public Health Program Manager

Public health program managers plan, implement and evaluate health programs aimed at improving outcomes for specific populations. They may oversee initiatives related to chronic disease prevention, maternal and child health, substance use or health education. The role often involves coordinating staff, managing budgets, tracking outcomes and reporting results to funders or stakeholders.

Health Policy Analyst

Health policy analysts research and evaluate healthcare laws, regulations and programs. Their work helps inform decisions at the local, state or federal level. Responsibilities often include analyzing data, writing policy briefs, assessing the impact of proposed legislation and advising organizations or policymakers on health-related issues.

Community Health Worker

Community health workers serve as a bridge between healthcare systems and the communities they support. They help individuals access services, navigate care and adopt healthier behaviors. Their work often focuses on underserved or high-need populations and emphasizes trust, cultural understanding and direct engagement.

Health Education Specialist

Health education specialists design and deliver programs that promote healthy behaviors and prevent disease. They assess community needs, develop educational materials, run workshops or campaigns and evaluate whether programs are effective. These roles exist in schools, nonprofits, government agencies and healthcare organizations.

Environmental Health Specialist

Environmental health specialists focus on how environmental factors affect human health. Their work may involve inspecting facilities, monitoring air and water quality, enforcing health and safety regulations or assessing risks related to hazardous materials, food safety or sanitation. Many work for government agencies, though roles also exist in consulting and industry.

Infection Preventionist

Infection preventionists develop and oversee programs to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, particularly in healthcare settings. They analyze infection data, train staff on prevention protocols, investigate outbreaks and ensure compliance with public health guidelines and regulations.

Clinical Research Coordinator or Clinical Trials Manager

Clinical research coordinators manage the day-to-day operations of clinical studies and trials. They support study design implementation, oversee participant recruitment, ensure regulatory compliance, manage data collection and coordinate between researchers, sponsors and clinical sites.

Public Health Emergency Preparedness Specialist

Public health emergency preparedness specialists plan for and respond to public health emergencies such as disease outbreaks, natural disasters or environmental crises. They develop response plans, conduct training and simulations, coordinate with agencies and evaluate response effectiveness after emergencies occur.

Public Health Consultant

Public health consultants advise organizations on health-related strategy, program design, evaluation and policy. They may work with governments, nonprofits, healthcare systems or private companies to analyze problems, recommend solutions and support implementation.

Note: Salary information reflects Glassdoor estimates as of January 2026. Government sources such as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publish median wages on a delayed reporting cycle, so actual compensation in many public health roles may be higher and can vary widely based on experience level, employer, sector and location.

Not sure which public health path fits you best? Many MPH careers may closely align with your interests and preferred work style. This simple decision map can help you narrow your options.

Fastest-Growing Areas for MPH Graduates

While public health jobs exist across many sectors, some areas are expanding faster than others due to demographic shifts, chronic disease trends, data availability and ongoing public health emergencies.

According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projections, several occupation groups aligned with public health skills are expected to grow faster than average over the next decade.

Roles with strong projected growth

Based on national employment outlooks and hiring trends, MPH graduates are seeing strong demand in areas such as:

• Epidemiology and disease surveillance, driven by infectious disease monitoring, chronic disease prevention and emergency preparedness
• Medical and health services management, as healthcare systems grow more complex and data-driven
• Community health and health education, particularly roles focused on prevention, access to care and health equity
• Biostatistics and health data analysis, fueled by the increased use of large datasets, electronic health records and population health analytics
• Emergency preparedness and response, especially at the local and state level

Growth rates and job availability still vary by region, employer and level of experience, but these areas consistently appear in high-demand categories tied to public health systems, prevention and population-level planning.

Sectors Hiring MPH Graduates

MPH graduates commonly find work in:

• Local, state and federal health departments
• Hospitals, health systems and integrated care organizations
• Nonprofits and community-based organizations
• Universities and research institutions
• Consulting firms and healthcare contractors
• Insurance, quality improvement and population health teams

Skills You Gain Through an MPH Program

An MPH is designed to build transferable skills that apply across roles, not just prepare you for a single job title.

Core Technical Skills

Most MPH programs develop skills in:

• Epidemiology and population health concepts
• Biostatistics and data interpretation
• Program planning and evaluation
• Health policy and systems analysis
• Environmental and social determinants of health
• Public health communication
• Ethics and public health law

Skills Employers Consistently Look For

Across job postings, employers often prioritize:

• Data literacy and the ability to interpret findings
• Clear written and verbal communication
• Project and program management
• Stakeholder and community engagement
• Critical thinking and problem-solving
• Translating evidence into decisions

Programs that include practicums, applied projects or capstones can help students demonstrate these skills in real-world settings.

Is an MPH Worth It?

Whether an MPH is “worth it” depends on how you plan to use the degree and the goals you want it to support.

When an MPH is Often a Good Investment

An MPH can make sense if:

• You want to work at the population or systems level, not in direct clinical care
• You’re aiming for roles in management, policy, analytics or program leadership
• You already have experience in healthcare, nonprofits or government and want to advance
• You choose a concentration aligned with your target roles and build applied experience along the way

Real Considerations to Weigh

There are also practical factors to consider:

• Some public health roles prioritize experience and networks as much as formal education
• Salaries in government or nonprofit settings may start lower than in private industry
• Grant-funded or project-based work can be cyclical
• Public health work can be demanding, especially during crises or in under-resourced communities

A clear plan, including target job titles, required skills and realistic salary expectations, is key to evaluating return on investment.

A Simple ROI Checklist

Before committing to an MPH, it helps to:

1. Identify two to three job titles you’d realistically pursue
2. Review job postings to confirm degree and skill requirements
3. Look for programs that offer applied learning (practicums, capstones)
4. Consider time to completion and total cost
5. Factor in geographic differences in pay and opportunity

Marshall University’s Master of Public Health Program

Marshall’s MPH program was established to address public health workforce needs, with a particular focus on reducing health disparities in West Virginia and the Appalachian region. The program emphasizes education, research, community engagement and health promotion.

Key Program Features

• Small class sizes that support individual attention and faculty mentoring
• Two concentration options:
  • Global and Community Health
  • Research, Evaluation and Policy
• Applied learning through a required practicum and capstone experience
• 44 credit hours, commonly completed in about four semesters
• Accelerated program option for eligible undergraduate Health Sciences students
• Designed to prepare students for careers in public health practice, research and policy

Students develop foundational public health skills while gaining experience that translates directly to workforce expectations.

Your Next Step

If you’re exploring whether this program aligns with your goals, don’t hesitate to request information to learn more about curriculum, admissions and student support.